Tropical storm could impact North Jersey's July 4th weather

Temperatures are expected to be in the high 80s and low 90s over the next few days as Tropical Storm Arthur heads up the coast, hitting New Jersey Thursday afternoon and night.

The storm, the first of the Atlantic hurricane season, formed late Monday night off Florida’s coast and is expected to peak in northern New Jersey in the second half of the day Thursday, leaving the possibility of some clear weather later in the day Friday, July 4. It is expected to stay off shore, instead affecting New Jersey indirectly.

“The main impact in our area, northeast New Jersey and in Bergen County, is heavy rain, not from the system directly, just from moisture associated with it,” said Joey Picca, a National Weather Service meteorologist.

“There’s some possibility it’s a salvageable day for people to enjoy. It’s a close call right now in terms of the specific timing of rainfall potential for the second half of the day,” Picca said of July 4. “It’s not a clear-cut guarantee the evening will be clear, but the worst should be moving on.”

On Tuesday, the storm’s center had winds around 40 miles per hour, expected to reach 80 miles per hour July 4, weakening as it passes New Jersey and heads up the coast.

Water temperatures near New Jersey have been colder than usual this year, which prevents storms from turning into hurricanes, said Bob Ziff, the spokesman for North Jersey Weather Observers, an organization that keeps track of weather impacts throughout the state. Ziff’s group will be watching the storm approach.

“The weather’s been kind of boring lately,” he said, “but you have to watch what you wish for.”

Leading up to the storm, the temperature will be near 90 degrees, with high humidity and an increased chance of thunderstorms and gusty winds, Picca said.

The temperature should cool down Friday to around 80 degrees as the storm passes through.

Picca advised leaving extra time for travel before the holiday weekend due to reduced visibility and the possibility of flooding.